Cross-reaction between proteins of Larrea divaricata Cav. (jarilla) and proteins of Gram-negative bacteria

Abstract

Larrea divaricata is an abundant plant of northwest of Argentina used to treat different pathologies. We aimed to characterize the immunogenicity of proteins from a partially purified crude aqueous extract (JPCE) of jarilla. We evaluated the cross reaction between JPCE and whole cell-bacterial proteins (W-CBP) of Escherichia coli, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Proteus vulgaris, and Klebsiella pneumoniae using a mouse anti-JPCE serum. Protein profiles of JPCE and W-CBP were analyzed. For JPCE, 18 bands were observed in a 20–176 kDa range. Levels of IgG against JPCE and W-CBP were determined. Bacterial proteins showed a strong reaction with the anti-JPCE serum. Plant proteins could be used as immune stimulants.

Keywords::

• Larrea divaricata
• cross-reaction
• aqueous extract immunogenic proteins
• immune stimulants
• immunoblotting

Acknowledgments

This work was supported by funds of CyT project 9601 from the National University of San Luis, Argentina. Roberto Davicino is a recipient of a fellow from CONICET. We thank Drs. A. M. S. de Guzmán, M. E. Escudero, L. del C. Velázquez, O. de Lucero, (General Microbiology, Faculty of Chemistry, Biochemistry and Pharmacy, National University of San Luis, Argentina) O. Aliendro de Certorbi, C. Mattana, and S. Satorres (Bacteriology, Faculty of Chemistry, Biochemistry and Pharmacy, National University of San Luis, Argentina) for providing E. coli O157:H7, P. aeruginosa, P. vulgaris, and K. pneumoniae strains, respectively.

Declaration of interest: The authors report no conflicts of interest. The authors alone are responsible for the content and writing of the paper.